HMV Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Rock And Roll

This is a press release from HMV celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rock and Roll.
A 10-inch vinyl limited edition of Elvis Presley’s That’s All Right – the record that many believe launched rock ‘n’ roll 50 years ago – is available exclusively at HMV’s 180-plus stores in the UK and Ireland and through its online site at HMV.co.uk on Monday 5th July 2004.
That date is the precise 50th anniversary of Elvis recording the single at the Sun Studios in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday 5th July 1954. That’s All Right changed the world – John Lennon would later famously remark that "before Elvis there was nothing" – but has remarkably never been released as a single in the UK.
HMV’s 10-inch vinyl version is almost certain to become a collectors’ item. Only 5000, individually numbered, copies are being pressed and there’s every chance they will be sold out on the day of release – many the 1000 available on
HMV.co.uk, for example, have already been accounted for through customer pre-orders.
Uniquely, the single appears on the original Sun Records – the small independent label that released the record in America 50 years ago – and features the original b-side, Blue Moon of Kentucky.
Following last year’s huge hit with ‘A Little Less Conversation’ this early public demand for the single suggests that Elvis may well be in line for further chart success, and he may even extend his record of UK number ones to 19 – pulling two ahead of the Beatles on 17 and five in front of Cliff Richard, who has 14.
Says Steve Gallant, HMV Product Director: "Given the enduring appeal of Elvis - and the significance of his first recording – we’re sure there is going to be enormous demand for this special edition. Our advice, therefore, is to get to the stores early – because once we’ve sold out, this item will be deleted and there’ll be no other way of getting it.
"From HMV’s perspective, this release is also very much part of our heritage. As the country’s oldest music retailer – HMV opened for business in 1921 – we’re the only one to have sold every Elvis record as they were released in the UK. We should also add that when Elvis’s records were first released in the UK - in 1956 - they originally appeared on the HMV label."
The single’s release comes as part of a global party to celebrate the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. At 5.00 pm (BST) on 5th July, for instance, radio stations around the world will be encouraged to simultaneously play That’s All Right. On the same day BMG are also releasing:
A three-track CD single of That’s All Right, featuring the original Blue Moon of Kentucky b-side plus an alternative take of That’s All Right.
The Elvis at Sun album, featuring all the tracks Elvis recorded during his two years with the legendary label. This includes all five singles plus rare alternate takes.
The Elvis: ’68 Comeback Special – Deluxe Edition DVD, featuring the two complete jam sessions and Elvis’s two solo concerts that originally comprised his historic Comeback special. These four shows have never been released in their entirety.
The Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii – Deluxe Edition DVD, a two disc set featuring all the performance material shot for Elvis’s 1973 Aloha from Hawaii television show – at the time the world’s biggest TV event with a 1.5 billion audience across 40 countries
The Kings of Rock ‘n Roll album featuring Elvis together with contributions from such legends as Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, .Cliff Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Next Monday (5th July), HMV's 360 Oxford Street store in London's West End opens at 8am especially for Elvis fans.
HMV will be exclusively selling a 10" limited edition numbered vinyl record of Elvis's first ever single 'That's All Right' - recorded exactly 50 years ago on 5th July 1954.
Five lucky Elvis fans who are in the queue when the store opens will have the chance to win one of five incredibly rare collectors' items - framed presentation discs of 'That's All Right'. These will be given away to the 'best
dressed' Elvis lookalikes on the day. The discs are a complete 'one off' and will not be found at anywhere other than HMV.
Number '1' - the first numbered single of HMV's limited edition, 10" vinyl of That's All Right - will go to the first person in the queue.

Reactions

Well its great news . Hmv is doing yet another promotion for our idol. This is great news . I have already ordered both dvd sets as well as the 10- inch single as well as cd format for single and album . This will be great year - i just hope that the tv staions show some material on the King , this year . Hmv has promoted Elvis in the past , by having videos shown on their monitors at their shops , to commemorate Elvis birthday and death anniversary . I cannot wait until the cds and dvds are released .I am planning to get both the dvds as soon they are released . I believe that on the 12.7.04. - the aloha dvd will be released . Well i cant wait. Long live the king